Assemblymember Hall Statement on Adult Film Industry’s Lifting of Production Moratorium

Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement in response to the adult film industry’s decision to lift their self-imposed moratorium on production due to a confirmed HIV transmission of an adult film actress.

“Today’s move by the Free Speech Coalition to lift their self-imposed moratorium on adult film production without requiring condoms is dangerous and irresponsible. The Free Speech Coalition is great at putting out a press release, but sadly, they are horrible at understanding science. The fact is it can take up to three months for a person with HIV to test positive. For those with HIV, use of current HIV medication can also bring viral loads below detectable levels, leaving fellow actors and the public susceptible to this deadly disease.

The industry’s testing only policy has failed. The fact is a voluntary testing only policy is as effective at preventing the spread of STDs as a pregnancy test is at preventing pregnancy. Short of requiring condoms in all adult films, STD transmission in the adult film industry will continue and California workers will continue to be exposed to injury, harm and potentially death.

I call upon to Free Speech Coalition and the adult film industry to join adult film actors, responsible adult film producers, medical professionals and the public in supporting my AB 640, which would require condoms in all adult films produced in California. No more stalling, no more excuses, no more lies. Too much time has been wasted while California workers have been harmed. The time to act is now.”